Anastrozole(Arimidex)

Warning: Anastrozole may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman and offers no clinical benefit to
premenopausal women with breast cancer. In women with pre-existing ischemic heart disease, an increased incidence of ischemic cardiovascular events has been observed
with taking this medication.

Indications: Anastrozole comes in
tablet form to be taken by mouth, with or without
food. The medication can be used alone, but is often used in addition to surgery or
radiation. It is used in women with breast cancer. Usually the women have experienced menopause. For women who have experienced menopause but have had their cancer spread within
the breast or other parts of the body may be prescribed this medication as a first treatment of breast
cancer. It may also be given in cases where breast cancer has worsened
after taking tomoxifen. Anastrozole is in a class of medications
called nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. Many of the breast cancer
cells need estrogen to grow. Using this drug will slow or stop the
growth of these cancer cells by decreasing how much estrogen the body produces.

Dosage:As with any drug take this medication
as per the directions on your prescription label. Ask your doctor
or pharmacist for an explanation if there is any part of the directions that you do not
understand. Anastrozole comes in tablet form to be taken
orally. The usual prescription is for you to take the tablets
once a day with or without food. Do not increase or decrease the
dosage your doctor prescribes. The medication should be taken
about the same time every day. Take this only as
directed. This medication may be taken for several years or
longer. Just because you are feeling better, do not stop taking
your medication without talking with your doctor.

Your
pharmacist may provide a copy of the manufacturer’s information for patients with your
prescription.

Overdose:
The fact that
Anastrozole
comes
in pill form, patients can overdose. In case you experience overdose symptoms, contact your doctor or a local
poison control center near you immediately. They will do what is necessary to eliminate or reduce the symptoms, and
avoid serious complications.

Missing dose: in case you forget to take
Anastrozole at the
recommended time, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it if it is not almost time for the nest dose. In
case it is time for the next dose, do not double it to recover the missing, it can be dangerous. Contact your
doctor or wait to go back to your regular schedule.

Interactions: Tell your doctor or pharmacist any prescription or nonprescription
medication you are currently taking or plan to take. This includes,
but is not limited to, medications that contain estrogen as hormone replacement therapy, hormonal
contraceptives, raloxifene, or tamoxifen. Also tell your
doctor if you are taking medication for heart disease, circulation problems; or if you have a history of stroke,
blood clots, severe liver disease, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis or low bone mineral
density. You should also tell your pharmacist about any
vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Contraindications:
Anastrozole may worsen or cause osteoporosis. If this medication
decreases the density of your bones then the chance of broken bones and fractures increases. This drug is usually only give to women who cannot become
pregnant. However, if you are pregnant or breast feeding you
need to tell your doctor. There is a possibility that this
medication could cause harm to a fetus.

Combinaison of Anastrozole with tamoxifen and all treatments containing estrogens is not recommended. These
substances can affect the action of Anastrozole in your body, and even cause serious health problems; talk to your
doctor before taking any of the following:

Side effects:d
espite the beneficial effects of the drug, Anastrozole tends to cause adverse effects in most patients.
Fortunately, these adverse effects tend to disappear when the body adjusts to the medication. The most common
Anastrozole side effects include: